Many pro-football prognosticators and draft enthusiasts are expecting to hear a quarterback's name called when the Detroit Lions, who own the second overall pick in this year's draft, make their selection on draft day. Well, I'm not so sure that they will. With the team finishing dead last in sacks allowed with 63, the Lions may opt to address another area of need such as offensive tackle and select Joe Thomas, the top-rated offensive lineman entering the draft.

If that is indeed the case, look for the club to snag themselves a quarterback in round two. The player the team may have its sights set on is Ohio State's Heisman Trophy winning QB Troy Smith.

According to a team source, Smith ranks up there on all their boards and that his less-than-stellar performance in the BCS Championship Game hasn't changed the organization's perception of the quarterback. It was at the Senior Bowl when the team first acknowledged that Smith is a guy they really like.

The source added that the team has kept a close eye on Smith throughout the year and took special notice of his performance in Mobile, which leads one to believe that Smith could be an option for the club at some point in the draft. It would likely be in round two providing he is available.

Smith should fit in

Some experts have labeled Smith as being a systematic quarterback. Meaning that he would only be successful playing in a West Coast style offense, but not everyone is buying into that theory. There are those within the Lions organization who believe that Smith would be perfectly suited for offensive coordinator Mike Martz's pass-happy offense.

Although the Lions are intrigued by Smith's ability to sling the rock, they will be keeping an eye on some other quarterbacks, most notably Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.

There is no question that the organization has an interest in Quinn. Lions head coach Rod Marinelli didn't hold back when he shared his thoughts about Quinn during his press conference at the combine.

"He's a heckuva quarterback from what we've had a chance to watch him, and we'll look at him more and more," Marinelli said. "He's a guy who can win. He seems to have a great feel for the game, nice leadership and presence, and I think he's a guy who can come into any system and play.

"Mike Martz puts a premium on that, the intelligence and the accuracy and the leadership and he seems to have all of those qualities."

Trading down?

With Quinn's stock tumbling as of late, the team could trade down and still nab him. Marinelli said the team would entertain just about everything and anything.

The Lions could be another potential suitor for the Houston Texans who are looking to trade up.

Should the Lions stand pat at No. 2 and select Thomas, who would be the best option for the team, Smith could very well be Motor City bound.